On August 10, 2001,
The Seattle Times reported that University of Washington researchers have
discovered traces of garden chemicals in the urine of dozens of Seattle-area
preschool kids. The study, which focused on organophosphate pesticides
like Dursban and Diazinon, found that 95 of 96 children tested were found
to have minute amounts of pesticide in their urine. The researchers also
noted that children whose families used pesticides in their gardens had
significantly higher pesticide concentrations than those who had gardens
but did not use any pesticides.

Although the concentrations
in the children were low, researchers believe that long-term exposure,
even minimally, represents a health risk and these toxic chemicals must
always be used with caution. "What's the prudent thing to do? My
approach has been: We should be cautious, not alarmists. We should take
steps that are easy to take," Richard Fenske, a professor of environmental-health
sciences who worked on the study told The Seattle Times.

The UW study and EPA
rules have also prompted King County (Seattle) hazardous-waste officials
to launch a public-awareness campaign aimed at promoting organic-gardening
practices, a position supported by the University of Washington scientists.
King County hazardous-waste officials have also been visiting area hardware
stores, talking to consumers about organic alternatives to using chemicals,
especially for lawn care, reported The Seattle Times.